At We Power Your Car we know that researching electric vehicles, charge points and everything else that comes with going electric can sometimes feel overwhelming and confusing. That’s why we have simplified all the jargon into our easy to follow A-Z of electric vehicles. It includes everything you need to know from hybrid vehicles to installation, chargers to tailpipe emissions.
It’s as easy as ABC!
A – Air pollution
EVs have several environmental benefits compared to conventional cars. This includes producing zero direct emissions, which specifically helps improve air pollution.
B – Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)
A BEV is a type of vehicle that runs exclusively on battery power. They use electric motors and motor controllers instead of combustion engines for power generation. This battery can then be electrically recharged externally.
C – Chargers
There are a number of different ways to charge your electric car’s battery pack. We are proud to work closely with some of the UK’s most trusted EV charger manufacturers. Get started here.
D – Decarbonisation
Decarbonisation is the aim to completely avoid the emission of carbon dioxide. EVs produce less carbon dioxide than fossil fuel-powered cars making them essential to reducing overall emissions.
E – Electric vehicle (EVs)
Unlike conventional vehicles that use petrol or diesel-powered engines, EVs use an electric motor powered by electricity from batteries or a fuel cell.
F – Fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV)
A FCEV is a type of electric vehicle that uses a fuel cell, instead of a battery or in combination with a battery to power its on-board electric motor.
G – Green electricity
Green electricity is generated from renewable energy or environmentally friendly sources. The higher the proportion of green electricity in the energy mix from which the charging current is supplied, the better the CO2 footprint of an e-car.
H – Hybrid vehicles
A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle using two different forms of power, such as an electric motor and an internal combustion engine, or an electric motor with a battery and fuel cells for energy storage.
I – Installation
We are the UK’s leading EV charge point installer and supplier. Your We Power Your Car engineer will install your charger quickly and efficiently and all of our installers are fully qualified, experienced professionals.
J – Jaguar I-PACE
The Jaguar I-PACE is Jaguar’s first all-electric performance SUV. It features an elegant, highly aerodynamic design and its electric motors deliver 696Nm of instant torque and sports car agility.
K – Kia e-Niro
The new Kia e-Niro offers an all-electric, zero-emissions powertrain and eye-catchy design. It also won the 2019 Driving Electric Car of the Year award and has been named the UK’s best affordable electric car.
L – Lithium-ion batteries
A lithium-ion battery is the preferred energy storage device in most electric vehicles. It is a rechargeable battery that uses lithium ions as the primary component of its electrolyte.
M – Matt:e
Most chargers don’t have earthing built in. We use matt:e earthing which is much easier to install and safer than earth rods.
N – Newton meters
Torque is the amount of ‘turning power’ a car has, measured in Newton meters and representing the force of the engine. Since EVs do not require a manual gearbox, the maximum torque is reached at the start of acceleration, therefore making it possible to accelerate very quickly, especially at low speeds.
O – Overall reach
The overall reach of an EV indicates how many kilometres it can cover with a single full battery charge. This is an important indicator of the suitability of electric mobility for everyday use.
P – Plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV)
A PHEV is a type of hybrid motor that combines a conventional engine with an electric motor and a large battery that can be recharged by plugging into an electrical outlet or charging station.
Q – Audi Q5
The Q5 has three modes: Hybrid, Battery Hold and EV. In EV mode, it runs solely on electric power and can do so for up to 26 miles, enabling you to cruise silently while producing no emissions.
R – Renewable energy
The potential of renewable energy sources to power EVs can contribute to a considerable decarbonisation of the future road transport sector and improved resource efficiency.
S – Smart charging
Smart charging is the intelligent charging of EVs, where charging can be shifted based on grid loads and in accordance to the vehicle owner’s needs. We cater for any type of electric car, van or plug-in hybrid with a professional team of engineers.
T – Tailpipe emissions
Tailpipe emissions are a serious threat to the environment. The combustion of petroleum-based fuels results in the release of chemicals into the air. EVs have zero tailpipe emissions and will play an important role in reducing this.
U – UK grant
You can get a discount on the price of brand new low-emission vehicles through a grant the government gives to vehicle dealerships and manufacturers. The maximum grant available for cars is £3,000.
V – Vehicle to grid (V2G)
V2G is a term used to describe the energy concept that electric cars and certain plug-in hybrid cars, could not only receive electricity from but send surplus electricity back into the electric grid.
W – Wallbox
A wallbox is a charging station for private households. They can be used with a higher charging capacity (11-22 kW) with more convenience than conventional household sockets. Click here to find yours.
X – Tesla Model X
The Tesla Model X is an all-electric luxury SUV with falcon wing doors for passenger access. It has great storage, comfortable seating for up to seven adults and the capability to tow up to 2,250 kg.
Y – Toyota Yaris Hybrid
Toyota’s been building hybrids since 1997 and their new Yaris Hybrid will be available in the UK from September 2020. You can choose from three drive modes: EV only, Power and Eco.
Z – Zero emission vehicle (ZEV)
A ZEV is an electric car that emits no waste products that pollute the environment or disrupt the climate.
UK car buyers are gradually waking up to electric cars, and this trend is only going to accelerate. We hope this ultimate guide has helped you to understand everything you need to know about EVs. Want to know more about how we can help you simplify your at-home EV charging? Chat with our expert engineers here. Alternatively, give us a call at 03333 44 96 99 or fill in the contact form below.
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This type of electric charger has it's own cable to charge your car.
This type of electric charger requires a seperate cable to charge your car.
Spread over a 60 month period.
Tenants and homeowners are eligible for finance.
You decide the amount of months.
Minimum of £1000.
We will contact you to process the credit application. Approval is subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history. 13.9% APR representative. T&Cs apply.
Your order is not confirmed until your application has been approved.
We lay SWA cable laid at 600mm deep, with a protective cable warning tape laid 150mm above the cable. These are laid on a sand or sifted sand soil bed then backfilled.
We position overhead cables at a minimum height of 3.5m and are run along a catenary wire. The cable run should not be accessible to vehicles.
Standard Installation
Our instant price is fixed if it falls within our standard installation package plus any additions that you have selected (extra cabling for example). This package covers the majority of homes in the UK. Before we undertake your installation we will carry out a digital survey to check that nothing has been missed. After reviewing the survey results some additional work may be required in order to complete your installation safely and to the required standards. If this is the case, we will contact you well before the installation date and advise the cost of any required work. You can then continue with your installation, or alternatively we will refund you in full if you do not want to proceed.
Included in our standard installation is :
• Fitting of a single phase charge point to a brick or plaster wall or other suitable permanent structure
• Up to 10 metres of cable, run and neatly clipped to the wall between the electricity supply meter / distribution board and the charge point.
• Routing of the cable through a drilled hole in a wall up to 500mm (20 inches) thick if this is needed.
• The fitting and testing of electrical connections and protections required for the charge point.
• An additional three way consumer unit, if required
• Installation of a Type A RCBO in an RCBO enclosure
• Up to 3 metres of plastic trunking to conceal interior wiring.
• An O-pen earth protection device if the charge point requires it. (This is NOT an earth rod)
• Up to 4 hours of labour from your installer to complete the work.
• Electrical testing of the whole installation.
• Handover and setup of the charge point and any app that may be needed.
Not included in our standard installation (additional work) :
• Where the installation requires additional cabling over and above the amount you have told us about.
• Upgrade/replacement of the main incoming supply fuse where the local DNO (eg Northern Powergrid) would need to attend site.
• If the charge point is to be mounted on a post/pedestal rather than an existing wall and where you have not selected a post as an extra cost option in your order.
• Installation of a charge point to a three phase supply.
• Where gas and water mains bonding (earthing) is not in place at your property. If this is not in place, additional work would be required before installation of the charge point.
• Any groundwork that has not been selected during the order process.
A Surge Protection Device is not included in our standard installation.
What else you need to know :
• On the day of installation, please ensure that the area around your consumer unit (fuse box), incoming electricity supply meter and proposed charge point location (including where the cable is expected to be run) is clear and free of obstructions.
• We will need your WiFi password as part of the installation process in order to connect your charge point to the internet. Please have this available for the installer. Details will not be kept.
• The charge point must be on your own designated off road parking.
• The charger will be fixed in line with current guidelines at a height where it cannot be hit by a vehicle.
• Our installers are not able to enter loft spaces; lift floorboards or flooring; take apart any furniture of work above a height of 2m. If you anticipate that any of this may be required, then please contact us and we can discuss in more detail and provide you with a quotation.
• Should there be extreme weather conditions our installers may not be able to continue with you installation if it is not safe to do so (for example flooding). They will always do their best to complete the work where they can.
If you have any questions then please contact our customer service team who will be happy to help. Please also read our terms and conditions.
